Blueberries and Baseball

The end of summer is always lived out in two ways in our family...at least for the last 5 years or so....Blueberry Festival and Blueberry Festival Baseball Tournament!  This year was no different.  Most people in my town either love the festival or hate the festival...I enjoy going and walking through the crowds and seeing the crafts, etc, but wouldn't spend nearly as much time there if it weren't for the baseball tourney!  We spent quite a bit of time there this year, as Grant's team made it into the championship game!  Friday and Saturday's games were HOT!  I mean, seriously hot...in the 90's and sweltering.  Then on Sunday it was average temps and by Monday we were wearing pants and sweatshirts to watch the championship game!  Gotta love Indiana weather and a baseball season that runs from May to September!  Here Grant is playing 3rd base and chattering to the batter.

Up to bat for one of his R.B.I.'s or stellar hits!

It is double elimination and the boys lost one of their games but fought back to make it into the championship game.  They had about 35 minutes in between their last game and the championship game.  They played hard and lost to an undefeated team (the team that beat us the first time in the tourney)!  They placed 3rd during the regular season and then were runners-up in the tourney and got trophies for both, so Grant now has two trophies to display (actually 4 because they got 2nd in both last year). Here he is proudly holding the trophy.

Way to go U.S. Granules Phillies!  What a great season! We are so proud of you!

This last picture is a special picture for us...Coach has been a coach to both of our boys as they went through this age league.  BUT, it goes further back than that even. This coach and I are the same age and when we played t-ball (just a few years back), we played together on the same team with my Dad as the coach.  He moved away for most of our schooling but now is back in the area and has coached both of my boys.  He is an awesome coach and we were so blessed to have a coach that loves the game and is great with the kids too.  Tough on them, but always so encouraging as well. 

So, as the tournament wound down, I took this picture because it is the LAST year that Coach will be the coach for us.  Both of my boys will be in the older league next year.  I must say that I got teary eyed...to know that we were done with this coach, that we were done with this league, AND done with the Blueberry Festival tournaments too...I think we'll go back to watch coach and his team next year!  Thanks for a great few years Coach Rich!

Babies at Preschool????

Who knew that preschools now accepted babies?...okay, so maybe she is just MY baby, but I still can't believe that she is old enough to be there. Let me tell you that they have their work cut out for them and will earn every penny they make with my K-Bug there!  About a week before school started, we went to an orientation night where the parents got lots of information and the students were able to interact with each other and get to know their new school.  Kiara was over the moon in excitement to go to this...Here she is before going...

Here she is at the end of orientation ...gotta love the tongue out and hair everywhere.  Apparently there were dress up clothes and the ponytail was in the way!

Here we are on the first morning of preschool (which has now been a couple of weeks...sorry) She was ready to go before I left for school in the morning...just a couple of hours early!

I have always loved these "backpack" pictures.  Not sure why, but it melts my heart.  She picked her backpack herself at the store...we weren't going to get her a new one but it was cheap and she got so excited that mommy couldn't resist!

Look at her...all big and ready to head out!

Ready to get in the car and go with Grandma!

Outside the pre-school door...you can see one of the teachers watching her too!

This picture melts my heart...and seemed to make it all real for me.  My sweet/ornery baby is a big girl!  Hanging up her coat and backpack before entering school.

Grandma got to sneak in and check out the preschool...Kiara was off and ready to go and didn't even notice Grandma around or when she left!  Thanks Miss Kristi, Miss Becky and Miss Lindsey for taking care of our girl, having patience with her and loving her soooo much!  It is fun to hear her imitate the teachers at home with her dolls..."Wait your turn sweetie."  "Boys and girls, get in line please".  Too cute!

Where's that peace???

A few months back, I had found a peace...I was completely okay with where God had me and where I thought he was taking me...what happened to that?  I thought I had truly come to a place that I was "ok" with living with pain the rest of my days.  Shortly after that peace filled me, the doctor found that he had made a mistake in the "cocktail" of injections he gave me the previous 2 times.  In order to correct this mistake, he wanted to try 2 new sets of injections (around 30+ shots each set) with the right "cocktail" this time. So, even though I thought I was at peace with the pain, hope began to surge inside of me that I could/would be healed.  In fact, I just assumed that I would be.  I thought that me finally coming to peace with God's plan no matter what, was in fact what God had desired and that now I would be healed after nearly 8 loooooong years of pain.  With the first set of shots, I had minimal relief...not less pain, but the area of pain had shrunk slightly...hope surged again.  On to round 2 of the shots....with NO results at all.  Back to the doctor I went...knowing the shots didn't work yet still clinging to the hope that he would find something that had gotten better and that it would still work. Funny thing was that in the middle of that block of time when I was waiting to work I had a 5 day bout of feeling terrific!  I had little to no pain and lived normally for those 5 days...unfortunately, it was because I was on steroid antibiotics and had a steroid injection for a bad bout of poison ivy.  Oh how I wish I could be on steroids all of the time.  But...  Reality set in at the doctor visit in mid August.  The shots didn't work and we are at the end of that road.  Yet another doctor honestly doesn't know what is wrong with me or how to help me.  We are back to the pain management stage...working to find a way to make my pain more tolerable for the remainder of my life...which could be 60+ more years if my grandma is any indication of my life span.  The doctor put me on Celebrex, which is a med used most often in rheumatoid arthritis.  The hope is that it will lessen the pain on a daily basis for me.  He also referred me to a rheumatologist (go in October) for yet another opinion (which is one more doctor to have to tell the whole story to...ugh).    The Celebrex does not seem to be working and I have had some pretty rough days with the pain. That peace I felt and spoke of a few months ago is gone.  I KNOW that I need to trust in the Lord and know that I am blessed beyond measure in so many ways...but my heart aches to be healed and to be normal.  I really don't remember what it is like to wake in the morning without pain and usually a headache along with it.  I don't remember what it is like to be a mom or teacher or wife without considering my neck and how it is feeling at any given moment.  A couple of weeks ago I sang/played a song at church and gave a brief testimony about living with my pain...suddenly 8 years didn't seem that long and the thought of 60+ years slammed me hard.  I'm tired of it. I'm weary. I'm exhausted. I'm somewhat angry. I'm simply sick of it.  The song that I sang has carried me for the last couple of years and continues to...
"I have asked a thousand ways, for you to take my pain away...
But when my world is shaking, heaven stands....
When my heart is aching, I never leave YOUR hands."  (Your Hands by JJ Heller)

I'm trying to cling to that promise and many others He gives us through scripture...but tonight I am overwhelmed, exhausted, weary, tired, lonely, sad and really blah.  So, if anyone is hiding that peace from me...feel free to drop it by my house.  Would love to have it back ;)

Birthday Boy!

Another year has passed already????  I simply can't believe it.  They say that as you grow older, time moves faster and it is flying by it seems.  How am I old enough to have a 12 year old????  But I do!  His birthday was on a Sunday...so we celebrated 2 days!  Saturday we went out to eat and had cake and ice cream as a family.  Then on Sunday after church we had a nice lunch and then finally let him open presents in the afternoon!  He had his church youth group in the evening, which is why we ate out a day early!  Here he is with his cake...Ummmm....when did I get old enough that my "child" lights his own candles?

This picture blows my mind!  Seriously...He is 12????  Where did my little boy go?

As he opened the presents from Grandma and Paw-Paw, he unwrapped this box...he was so exited to be getting a crock pot!  HA!  Luckily when he opened it up, he was more excited about the "real" present!

He has wanted this for a couple of years and Grandma and Paw-Paw came through for him!  A New Holland square baler.  He couldn't wait to get outside with his tractors and play with it.

Turning 12 means that he is allowed to take his Hunter's Education Course and get his hunting license.  He started the course ON his birthday!  He is excited.  Grandma and Grandpa have him ready to go with camo coat, pants and gloves!

A bow and arrow from Dad and Mom was the last part of his gifts!  He was very excited with everything he got...He couldn't quit smiling!

Kiara had to get in on the action...Don't worry.  She won't go hunting.  She can't sit still or be quiet for more than a few seconds at a time!

So, another year has flown by and now we have a 12 year old.  Brock, we are incredibly proud of you.  You are a great kid with sooooo much energy, passion for life and are so hard-working at all you do.  I love how you play with your brother and sister (most of the time) and are growing into quite the young man.  Although you will always be my "sweet little boy"...you are growing up and I am proud of you.  Love you kiddo!